The Silver Fern

@KiwiMurph If Clarke's up to play, then yeah that will be a strong back line. I'd love to see this

@Chris-B You're not wrong, that's a strong back line. But what can be done with the players available to create a competing back line against a strong Irish side?

@Chris-B said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@ThecostlyJoel Welcome Joel!

Crikey - the backs look a bit Super rugby level to me - strong Super rugby, but a bit short of Big All Black test level!

Yeah I completely understand. My original back line up from the start of the month was Clarke, Goodhue, R Ioane, Reece and Jordan. But with how things went and are going this didn't really become an option. Even for Clarke, I'd rather have him rest up longer for the later games in the series before putting him on the field.

And Reece has been amazing this year, both with playing and keeping his team mates moral high during games which I think we definitely need even if it's a losing battle.

Reece over J Barrett, just because I think that J Barrett will have more of an impact off the bench.

@Stargazer said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@ThecostlyJoel Welcome to the Fern!

Thanks for having me. Seems like a good place to discuss NZ rugby.

With all these issues coming through this is what I think might be the announced team.

1 Bower
2 Taylor
3 Laulala
4 Retallick
5 Whitelock
6 Vaa'i
7 Cane
8 Savea
9 Christie
10 Barrett
11 Fainga’anuku
12 Tupaea
13 Ioane
14 Reece
15 J Barrett

16 Taukei'aho
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Tu'ungafasi
19 Barrett
20 Sotutu (or Akira)
21 Fakatava
22 Mo'unga
23 Perofeta (or Ennor)

Obviously I would have probably missed some injuries and/or health issues. But from what info I've come across this is what I think could happen.

I chose QT as 2nd 5 and he can be covered by J Barrett and Fainga’anuku which is why I've put Perofeta at 23 to cover 15 if needed. But that's probably asking a lot from them so I'd have Ennor at 23 as an option too. I can see RTS playing later on in the series, just not the first game, but you never know.

I've also added Vaa'i at 6 even though he mainly plays lock because he's had a good season and can bring a punch. Nothing against Akira. The man's a beast too.